IDentity Theft 911 Blog

7 Tips to Protect Your Identity In a Disaster

Kelly Santos — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:38:24 +0000

The giant tornado that tore across the Oklahoma City area, killing dozens of people, is a sobering reminder that we can never be fully prepared for a natural disaster.

With tornado and hurricane season underway and summer’s heightened risk for brush fires just around the corner, it’s a good time to take steps to protect your loved ones—and their identities—from harm.

Here are some steps to secure your identity before and after catastrophe strikes:

1. Create a family ID theft protection plan. Make front-and-back copies of personal documents and store them in a safe deposit box. That includes birth certificates, driver’s licenses, passports, as well as Social Security, voter’s registration and medical insurance cards. Remember credit and debit cards.

2. Store irreplaceable items in the cloud. It’s easy and affordable to store irreplaceable items in an online vault. This includes special family photographs, and historical, estate and trust documents.

3. Back up key information and documents. Whether you’re in a shelter, staying with friends or crashing on your family’s couch, never let these items leave your sight. They are the key to your identity.

4. Check your credit report. Call 1-877-322-8228 or visit www.annualcreditreport.com. Consider adding an initial security alert to your credit report, by visiting www.experian.com/fraud/center.html or by calling 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742).

5. Hold your mail. Ask the post office to hold your mail until you’ve settled into your home. This will keep thieves away from sensitive materials left in your mailbox.

6. Watch out for post-disaster scams. Beware of identity thieves who may call, text or email you soliciting donations. Think twice before you give them money and/or personal information.

7. Call your bank, credit union, insurer or financial planner to see if they offer identity theft management services. Some institutions offer this service for free, as a perk for being a member or account holder.

Helping Kids Fight Online Safety Risks

Lauren Roberts — Tue, 21 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

The thought of a child going missing is every parent's nightmare, but it happens all too often. Each year, on May 25, National Missing Children's Day is observed, bringing attention to the stories of kids like Etan Patz, whose disappearance led President Ronald Regan to establish the day in 1983. Protecting kids has become infinitely more complex today, when children are almost always online, but for parents, learning what to do to keep kids safe should be second nature.

The threats to children that lurk online might seem completely innocuous, but without the right guidance, kids can get themselves into bad situations, from identity theft to talking with predatory adults. Keep these tips in mind to help children use the Web safely.

* Monitor social media use. Many kids will object loudly to having a parent watching their every move on Facebook, Twitter or other sites, but laying down strict ground rules will ultimately be a good protective measure. Simply "friending" or "following" kids isn't always enough - they can control who sees certain posts and might leave mom and dad out.

* Get to know the lingo. The emails, texts, posts and tweets your child sends out might not seem to be written in any recognized language, but they're definitely putting a message across. Do some research to find out what abbreviations mean and get the gist of what kids are really writing.

* Teach the risks of oversharing. Kids naturally want to use social media and the Internet to connect with others, but they might not be aware that putting too much information out there can come back and haunt them. Show kids not only how-but why-they shouldn't put too much of their personal information on the Web, where identity thieves, predators and bullies might find it.

Is Google Wallet Pickpocket-Proof?

Glenn West — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Managing money online is the new normal-from banking to checking credit card balances to paying a friend back, a new generation of consumers shops, pays and receives a lot of cash via the Internet. The wise minds at Google have been working hard to get in the electronic payment game with their Google Wallet service, and the company is now positioned for a major jump forward. That's thanks to the newly announced plans to let Gmail users send and receive money as an email attachment.

For naturally wary users, questions about safety immediately come to mind. After all, identity thieves have been making great-and highly publicized-leaps forward in online scams and hacking. But it looks as though Google's new innovation is starting out on the right path, according to Brian McGinley, chief executive officer of IDT911 Consulting, a subsidiary of Identity Theft 911.

"The fact that there is no exchange of bank information with the funds transmitted and received makes it a reasonably sound transaction mechanism," McGinley says. "Plus, the user is protected against unauthorized transactions by Google as long as the transaction is identified and reported within 180 days. That's reasonable."

McGinley advises those eager to try out the new function to take one extra precaution, in addition to measures like maintaining strong passwords and closely monitoring accounts. "I would recommend users' bank accounts used to fund these transactions be kept at relatively small dollar balances and not be linked to other high-balance accounts. In the event of compromise, the account can simply be closed."

Heroes At Risk: Military Identity Theft Still A Problem

Alex Dutton — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Armed Forces Day falls on May 18, reminding Americans of the sacrifices that military members make for the country every day. While these brave souls signed up to confront dangers and hazards that would make the average citizen shake in his boots, most members of the military would not have imagined that their jobs would put their identities at risk. Despite efforts from the Pentagon, military personnel still face unusually high potential for having their identities stolen.

One of the key reasons for that increased risk is the frequency with which troops have to give out their Social Security numbers. While civilians are reminded repeatedly to keep their numbers closely guarded and to only give them out when absolutely necessary, military personnel often have to give out their numbers for a variety of reasons, some as basic as logging into computers.

The potential for deployment makes the situation even more complicated. When troops are deployed abroad, and don't have regular access to keep a close eye on their accounts or what comes in the mail back home, they're at yet another disadvantage. It could be months before they see evidence of identity theft, long after serious damage has already been done. Fortunately, troops can put "active duty alerts" on their credit reports; those reports ensure that creditors take extra steps to verify identity before granting credit.

Taking the usual steps to protect identity may not be enough for military personnel. While part of the burden is on troops, many military experts believe that changes throughout the system - such as reducing the frequency of disclosing Social Security numbers - are necessary before the trend really slows.

Locks Aren’t Enough: Beware Of Service Providers In Your Home

Lauren Roberts — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Most families install basic home security precautions: locks, alarms and maybe even landscaping designed to prevent predators from hiding in the bushes. But what about inside the house?

When it comes to inviting strangers into the home to provide services like plumbing, electrical work or even carpet cleaning, not taking careful steps to fully screen the company and the worker who shows up at the door can easily lead to an identity theft situation. Take action to help protect your family from identity theft:

* Research the company both online and in your community. Identity thieves have set up faux companies, mimicking legitimate companies in name, service offerings and even websites in an effort to gather identity information like addresses, credit card numbers and telephone numbers for fraudulent use. By the time the serviceman doesn't show up for the scheduled appointment, the website has disappeared and the phone disconnected.

* Ask who will be performing the work when scheduling the appointment. When the worker arrives at the door, ask to see a form of identification. Save the name in your files, in case you want to have the worker return for additional projects or if you need to report an identity theft situation.

* Secure your belongings, especially any documents that contain personal information. A credit card statement laying out, waiting to be paid, provides a stranger coming into your house direct access to a lot of personal information. The worker can easily jot down the information, or worse, snap a photo of the statement with a smartphone, and the theft won't be discovered until money goes missing or fraudulent charges are made.

* Empty your trashcans and recycling bins before the service workers show up. Trash cans are gold mines for identity thieves. Be sure all the recycling and garbage is securely stored in the garage, or better yet, schedule your service work to occur the day after garbage is collected in your neighborhood.

Taking steps to better secure personal information is only the first step when it comes to inviting service workers into your home. Monitoring your identity on a constant basis is also critical in catching identity theft early.

How To Protect Yourself At The ATM

Glenn West — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

What would life be without the 2.2 million automated teller machines (ATMs) that give millions of Americans ready access to their bank accounts every day? ATMs are convenient for anyone who needs fast access to cash - including, unfortunately, identity thieves.

While you may worry about identity thieves targeting you while you shop online or that your personal information may be caught up in a data breach at the hospital where you had surgery last year, the truth is the majority of identity theft occurs in ways that are much lower-tech. It's much more likely that a criminal might target your ATM use than pilfer your information online.

Fortunately, you have a lot of control over how secure you are at the ATM. Here are some tips on how to protect yourself from identity theft when you use an ATM:

• Choose your ATM wisely. Look for machines located in secure areas, such as in the lobby of a bank that can only be accessed with a bank card, or one in a high-traffic public location. It will be harder for identity thieves to ply their tricks on a securely located ATM.

• Be aware of who is around you when you use a walk-up ATM. Shoulder surfing-peering over someone's shoulder while they type a PIN-is a leading way crooks swipe PIN and account numbers. If someone is standing too close and making you uncomfortable, don't use the ATM. Walk away and find another one.

• Examine an ATM for signs of tampering before you use it. Identity thieves have been known to attach devices to the machines that steal information when you insert your card. Loose, damaged or odd-looking parts such as the card slot or the keypad may indicate the ATM has been tampered with.

• Keep an eye on your bank account and your credit report. Often, those are the first places where evidence of identity theft or fraud will show up.

On Mother’s Day, Give The Gift Of Identity Protection

Alex Dutton — Thu, 09 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

A mother does everything in her power to protect her children - that's a given. On the day devoted to celebrating moms and all they do, why not change the equation and give Mom the gift of protection against identity theft? While identity theft affects people of all ages, the growing trend of identity theft among seniors makes it a good time to offer help to Grandma, too.

For those stumped for gift ideas, consider these presents that will keep on giving (just don't forget flowers and a card, too).

• Identity theft protection service. Maintaining constant vigilance against identity theft takes an incredible amount of time. Protection services, available through many insurance companies, credit unions, credit reporting agencies, and community banks, can do the job so Mom doesn't have to. They provide the expertise and action needed to reduce the risk of identity theft and stop it in its tracks if it starts.
• Protective bags and wallets. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips embedded in credit cards and passports have given identity thieves new ways to scan and then swipe important information from unsuspecting victims. Anti-RFID bags and wallets block scanning attempts and help keep identities safe.
• Time and knowledge. There's no price for it, but simply giving Mom a bit of time, and helping her protect her computer, smartphone and other gadgets against identity theft, is a wonderful gift. She might not be aware of the multitude of scams out there, so helping her identity phishing, spam and other key identity risks will be an enormous help.
• A shredder. Those documents that just get thrown in the trash without a second thought could be putting Mom at risk. Giving her a shredder, along with a guide of what to shred and when, will help to protect her.

FTC Provides Resources For Victims Of ID Theft

Lauren Roberts — Tue, 07 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

For the millions of victims of identity theft, it can seem like there's no one on their side. The long, difficult fight to get credit and other financial concerns back on track is isolating and confusing, particularly if the victims haven't dealt with such issues before. However, as the number of identity theft cases continues to grow, more resources are becoming available to help victims cope with the aftermath.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has set up a special section of its consumer information website, www.consumer.ftc.gov, devoted to helping consumers deal with identity theft. While the site discussion identity theft prevention, it also guides consumers through the process of dealing with identity theft once it's happened.

Because identity theft can take so many forms, the FTC provides specific information about how to respond in different situations. In the case of medical identity fraud, for instance, a checklist walks victims through all the steps to correct records, from checking state health privacy laws to sending notifications and police reports to health insurers' fraud departments.

Perhaps most important is the Statement of Rights for Identity Theft victims. Those fighting through identity fraud or theft might not be aware of all the assistance and support they are entitled to, but this document provides an exhaustive list. Because the repercussions of identity theft can extend for years, it's easy to forget what records need to be kept, what kind of help is available and the schedule of how to contact and respond to different agencies, from credit reporters to the IRS.

For victims, staying strong through the fight against identity theft can be exhausting. Having support and information is essential to ensure that life eventually gets back on track.

Privacy Under Threat: Why Information Sharing Is A Risk

Glenn West — Mon, 06 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Because most people now spend an enormous amount of time online, businesses and organizations are eager to find ways to use that activity to their advantage. In many cases, that means tracking user habits, which they use to tailor and target advertisements. On social media sites and even some retail sites, user information is logged and tracked, which has led to increased concern about privacy. During Choose Privacy Week, the American Library Association is drawing attention to the issue and advocating for consumers to stand up for their privacy.

Much of the worry is tied to whether a company allows users to opt in or opt out of such information tracking. In many cases, users have no choice, and that can leave them in a vulnerable position. For those who take pains to limit the personal information they put on the Web, "data mining" (the collection of personal user data) can undo all their efforts. If identity thieves are able to hack into the systems of a data mining company, they would have easy access to an incredible amount of exploitable information.

So, what can the average person do to limit their exposure?

* Read user agreements. Those popups filled with legalese often contain information about how a website will use identifying data and other information. Simply scrolling through and clicking "accept" is a bad idea for those concerned about where their data is going.

* Think twice about customer rewards programs. While getting coupons and discounts is a great draw, consumers enrolled in rewards programs are giving up their purchase history (and sometimes credit card information) to a corporation or organization. If hacked, that information could be used by thieves to commit identity fraud.

* Minimalize social media. Lots of social media sites do data mining-Facebook is particularly noted for it, in privacy circles. Read all social media privacy policies carefully, and if there's something you find questionable, you might want to terminate your membership.

Stop A Lost Smartphone From Becoming Lost Identity

Lauren Roberts — Thu, 02 May 2013 08:00:00 +0000

The thought of losing a smartphone is about enough to make any user's blood run cold. But there's much more at stake with a misplaced phone than just the cost of replacement or missing some calls and texts. Because of all the sensitive personal information that many of us store on our mobile devices, the loss of a phone could very easily lead to a loss of identity at the hands of thieves.

While no one can put a safety lock on their brain to guarantee never losing or misplacing a phone, there are preventive measures any smartphone user can take to head thieves off at the digital pass.

1. Use a password. It might seem like an obvious step to take, but as many as a third of smartphone owners admit they don't password-protect their phones. Setting up a password takes only seconds, but can make data much more difficult for thieves to access.

2. Don't stay logged into apps. If it's convenient for a user to stay logged into-or save passwords for-Facebook or email or retail apps, then it's that much easier for thieves to see everything they need to steal an identity. The extra minutes spent logging in are well worth it, in terms of identity protection.

3. Turn on tracking. It's true that many smartphones have tracking functions built in, like "Find My Phone" on iPhones, but not all users are aware that the apps need to be activated. Take a few minutes and turn it on, in case the need to track a stolen device ever arises.

4. Make data disposable from a distance. Service providers and apps alike can offer capability to remotely wipe data from a device. If a smartphone is stolen, or simply lost, the owner can get rid of the very information that thieves are after.

It's important to remember that none of these strategies should be a stand-alone option. After all, a thief could find everything he needs in the time it takes to realize that a phone has been lost. Used in tandem, these tips will protect users' data - as well as that of their friends, family and even coworkers.